NOBLESVILLE, Ind. (Hamilton County Reporter) — A Republican leader in the Indiana House of Representatives has announced she will not seek re-election in 2018, but will instead run for a county government leadership role.

State Rep. Kathy Richardson, who is from Noblesville, took office in 1992. She served as an elected member of the House Republican leadership since 2000, the first woman to serve in an elected caucus leadership role in Indiana history.

“Serving as a member of Leadership gave me the opportunity to be at the table when major decisions about our state were considered and have a big influence on legislation,” Richardson said in a statement.

Richardson announced she will not seek re-election to the Indiana General Assembly but will seek the office of Hamilton County clerk in 2018. She’s worked in the clerk’s office since 1976. The incumbent, Clerk Tammy Baitz, announced her decision not to seek re-election earlier last week.

“Clerk Tammy Baitz’s decision not to seek re-election allowed me to assess running for Hamilton County Clerk in 2018. The election process has received a great deal of attention at the federal level, and I anticipate many changes will be coming very soon at the local level. I believe Hamilton County could benefit from my experience with election law and procedures and so I have taken the decision to offer my service to our citizens as County Clerk”, Richardson said in the statement.